Bill Owen
Biography
Bill Owen was a British-born actor known for playing working-class characters. Born William Rowbotham on March 14, 1914, in Acton, London, England, he started his career in acting after touring music halls and performing in repertory. Owen's career was interrupted by military service with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps, where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course. He later made a name for himself in films such as Johnny in the Clouds, When the Bough Breaks, and Mania. Owen is also known for his work in television and is best known for portraying a character in the BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine.
Career overview
Bill Owen began his acting career after entertaining at Butlin's holiday camps and performing in repertory, where he joined the Unity Theatre. He gained respect as a stage producer at the Unity Theatre. His career was interrupted by military service with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps, where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course.
Returning to acting, Owen started making a name for himself in films such as Johnny in the Clouds, When the Bough Breaks, and Mania. He is known for his portrayal of working-class characters on film and television.
Owen's acting credits include numerous films and television shows. He is best known for his long-running role in a Yorkshire-based BBC comedy series. The series was broadcast for over a quarter of a century.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Bill Owen.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
86 titles- Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs (2022) as Self (archive)
- The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005) as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
- What's a Carry On? (1998) as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Smillie's People (1996) as Self
- The Entertainer (1993) as Billy Rice
- Performance (1991) as Billy Rice
- Noel's House Party (1991) as Compo
- Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres (1987) as Compo
- Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride (1986) as Compo
- Royal Variety Performance 1984 (1984) as Compo
- Laughterhouse (1984) as Amos
- Getting Sam Home (1983) as Compo Simmonite
- The Kids International Show (1982) as Compo
- The Funny Side of Christmas (1982) as Compo
- Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Meakins
- Blankety Blank (1979)
- The Comeback (1978) as Mr. B
- Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982 (1978) as Compo
- The Val Doonican Music Show (1977) as Self
- That's Carry On! (1977) as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Angels (1975)
- In Celebration (1975) as Mr. Shaw
- Last of the Summer Wine (1973) as Compo (archive footage)
- Last of the Summer Wine (1973) as Compo
- Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973) as George Chambers
- O Lucky Man! (1973) as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
- Away from It All (1973) as Robert
- Shirley's World (1972)
- Late Night Theatre (1972) as William
- Coppers End (1971) as Sgt. Sam Short
- Catweazle (1970) as Pickle
- Unfair! (1970) as Worker
- ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as Mr. Hanley
- Mischief (1969)
- Cilla (1968) as Self
- Treasure Island (1968) as Billy Bones
- Headline Hunters (1968)
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as Mr Milner
- Man in a Suitcase (1967)
- Half Hour Story (1967) as R.J.Smellies
- Georgy Girl (1966) as Ted
- The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966) as Officer Powell
- Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965) as Henry Jay
- Kiss Me, Kate (1964) as Gangster
- The Secret of Blood Island (1964) as George Bludgin
- The Last Word on Julie (1964) as Ray
- Taxi! (1963) as Fred Cuddell
- Taxi! (1963) as Fred Cuddel
- Carry On Cabby (1963) as "Smiley" Sims
- Drama 61-67 (1961) as Bailey
- Carry On Regardless (1961) as Mike Weston
- The Hellfire Club (1961) as Martin
- On the Fiddle (1961) as Cpl. Gittens
- The Shakedown (1960) as David Spettigue
- Carry On Nurse (1959) as Percy "Perc" Hickson
- Carry On Sergeant (1958) as Corporal Bill Copping
- Carve Her Name with Pride (1958) as NCO Instructor
- Davy (1958) as Eric
- The Buccaneers (1956) as Clip West
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Ray
- Not So Dusty (1956)
- This Is Your Life (1955) as Self
- The Ship That Died of Shame (1955) as Birdie
- The Rainbow Jacket (1954) as Sam
- A Day to Remember (1953) as Shorty Sharpe
- There Was a Young Lady (1953) as Joe
- The Square Ring (1953) as Happy Burns
- The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) as Stutely
- Sherlock Holmes (1951) as Inspector Lestrade
- Hotel Sahara (1951) as Private Binns
- The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950) as Tim
- Diamond City (1949) as Pinto
- Trottie True (1949) as Joe Jugg
- Once a Jolly Swagman (1949) as Lag Gibbon
- The Weaker Sex (1948) as Soldier with Chicken
- Daybreak (1948) as Ron
- Trouble in the Air (1948)
- Easy Money (1948) as Mr. Lee
- My Brother's Keeper (1948) as Syd Evans
- Dancing with Crime (1947) as Dave Robinson
- When The Bough Breaks (1947) as Bill Collins
- School for Secrets (1946) as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
- A City Reborn (1945)
- The Way to the Stars (1945) as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
- Breathing Space (1943) as (uncredited)
- Tank Patrol (1941) as Geordie
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bill Owen best known for?
Bill Owen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Noel's House Party (1991), Tales of the Unexpected (1979), Blankety Blank (1979), The Comeback (1978).
When and where was Bill Owen born?
Bill Owen was born on March 14, 1914 in Acton, London, England, UK. They passed away on July 12, 1999.
How many credits does Bill Owen have?
Bill Owen has accumulated over 86 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 2022.
What is Bill Owen's background in cinema and television?
Bill Owen was a British-born actor known for playing working-class characters. Born William Rowbotham on March 14, 1914, in Acton, London, England, he started his career in acting after touring music halls and performing in repertory. Owen's career was interrupted by military service with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps...
Bill Owen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Cilla (1968) as Self — aged about 54
- Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973) as George Chambers — aged about 59
- Catweazle (1970) as Pickle — aged about 56
- Noel's House Party (1991) as Compo — aged about 77
- Man in a Suitcase (1967) — aged about 53
- Last of the Summer Wine (1973) as Compo (archive footage) — aged about 59
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Bill Owen.